Tauranga councillor criticises National Party's Christchurch road funding pledge
Saturday 10 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Christopher Luxon, National Party
Tauranga councillor Rick Curach has criticised the National Party's election promise to fully fund a new Christchurch motorway and bypass. Curach described the pledge as a "slap in the face" for Tauranga following the decision to use toll-funding for the Takitimu North Link construction.
Key facts
4 facts
- National Party pledged $800 million for the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass in Christchurch
- The Takitimu North Link (TNL) is expected to be tolled upon opening in 2028
- NZTA received 2,317 responses during the TNL consultation process
- 71% of TNL consultation feedback suggested costs be met in ways other than tolling
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Tauranga councillor Rick Curach has criticised the National Party's election promise to fully fund a new Christchurch motorway and bypass. National leader Christopher Luxon stated on 5 October that the party would commit $800 million to the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass if re-elected. Curach described the announcement as a "slap in the face" for Tauranga.
The councillor argued the Christchurch project shares similar costs, benefits, and traffic volumes with the Takitimu North Link (TNL), which will be toll-funded. Curach noted that the TNL was originally intended to be fully funded by the Government through road user charges and fuel taxes before a decision was made to use tolls instead. Tauranga currently has two of New Zealand's three toll roads, Takitimu Drive and the Eastern Link, and the TNL is expected to be tolled when it opens in 2028.
Public consultation for the TNL project showed significant opposition, with only 12% of submitters providing unconditional support. Of the 2,317 responses received by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), 71% of feedback indicated that costs should be met through other methods. Curach expressed concern that once the motorway opens, NZTA will transfer ownership of the existing state highway to the council, potentially adding nearly 1% to ratepayers' bills for maintenance.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop has rejected the suggestion that Tauranga is being treated differently than other regions. He noted that other projects, such as Penlink in Auckland and Ōtaki north of Levin, are also set to be tolled.
Where reports differ
- One report estimates the Stage One cost of the TNL at $655m, while another reports an expected cost of $884m
Compiled from reports by 1News and RNZ.
